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Priceville man's loved ones pick up remains of home

By Trang Do - Bio | Email
Posted by Dana Franks - Email

PRICEVILLE, AL (WAFF) -- The family of one area tornado victim is dealing with the pain of losing their loved on in an instant.

Robert Jay Irwin, 63, was in his mobile home in Priceville Sunday evening when a strong storm knocked down a tree that landed on top of his home and killed him.

Irwin's home was on Bethel Road in Priceville. They told WAFF 48 News that they're devastated, trying to hold it together for Irwin's two children, as they mourn a man they call loving and hardworking.

Margaret Pugh, who was Irwin's partner of about 25 years, was in a daze on Monday.

"I'm lost," Pugh said. "I'm lost. My partner is gone."

Irwin was taken from her in an instant.

"He was sitting in his living room when the storm came through," said Robert Irwin's brother Les Irwin. "He was on the couch, and it came through so quick he had nowhere to go."

Les Irwin was left to be the pillar of strength for the family, but he admitted reality still hasn't set in.

"It's sunk in, but it hasn't sunk in 100 percent," he said.

After the loss of the man she called her life, Pugh said she and her two teenage children will pull through.

"We're hoping to make it," she said. "We've got family, we've got friends, we're going to make it."

They're starting by tearing down the place where Robert Irwin died -- the most visible reminder of the tragedy.

A fund has been set up to help the Irwin family. If you would like to help, you can go to any Family Security Credit Union and donate to the Robert Irwin Fund. The account number is 1354311.

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